UPDATE: Lucky Friday Miner Dies From Injuries

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - The Hecla Mining Company has just released a statement regarding the death of Brandon Gray:

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, Nov 19, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Hecla Mining Company ("Hecla") (NYSE:HL)
is saddened by the news that Brandon Lloyd Gray, the 26-year-old miner
critically injured at its Lucky Friday mine in North Idaho on November
17, succumbed to his injuries early Saturday morning with his family at
his side. Gray, a miner since 2008, had been working for Cementation
Inc. since February 2011, a company that is under contract for the
construction of the mine's #4 Shaft.

"We are deeply saddened by Brandon's passing," said Phil Baker,
President and Chief Executive Officer. "Everyone at Hecla extends our
sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."

Mike Nadon, President of Cementation U.S.A. said, "The whole Cementation
family is grieving this terrible loss, and our immediate focus is in
supporting Brandon's family with our assistance and our prayers."

Immediately following the accident, Hecla chose to cease mining
operations at the Lucky Friday mine in order to focus our attention on
the emergency response and to provide support to the affected employees
and families of both Hecla and Cementation. The federal Mine Safety and
Health Administration ("MSHA") subsequently issued a 103(j) order. An
integrated team of Hecla and Cementation as well as representatives from
MSHA are investigating the accident, which is unrelated to the fall of
ground accident that occurred on April 15,, 2011. A
start-up date for resuming operations has not yet been established.

"Hecla is committed to preventing such accidents from happening," added
Phil Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue to
emphasize safety throughout all of our properties."

Previous Coverage:

MULLAN, Idaho - Cementation U.S.A. is reporting that Brandon Lloyd Gray, the man who was injured Thursday night at the Lucky Friday mine in Mullan, has passed away. We have not received any word from the Hecla Mining Company to confirm this. We are working to get more information. Below is the press release from Cementation U.S.A.:

Cementation U.S.A. Press Release:

Cementation U.S.A. Inc. is mourning the loss of one its employees, Brandon Lloyd Gray, the miner who was critically injured Thursday evening while working at Hecla's Lucky Friday mine in Northern Idaho.

The 26-year-old miner succumbed early Saturday morning to injuries he suffered while working on the construction of the mine's #4 shaft. Gray, a miner since 2008, joined Cementation in February.

"The whole Cementation family is grieving this terrible loss, and our immediate focus is in supporting Brandon's family with our assistance and our prayers," said Mike Nadon, president of Cementation U.S.A. "These next few days will be very difficult for all of us, especially the Gray family, so we would respectfully ask that you allow our folks to grieve privately. There will be plenty of time in the coming days and weeks to discuss how and what happened."

Mr. Gray was working underground when he was trapped in the drawdown of broken rock in a bin that was being excavated as part of the #4 Shaft Project. It is believed that Brandon was wearing his fall arrest protection at the time of the accident.

An investigation is being conducted by an integrated team of Cementation's management group and Hecla personnel as well as MSHA representatives.

Cementation USA is a mine contracting company that carries out specialist work in mine development including shaft sinking. The company has been contracted by Hecla to carry out the Lucky Friday #4 Shaft project and has been operating at the mine site since 2009.

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